, member of the academies of Nancy, of Amiens, of Kouen, and Angers,
, member of the academies of Nancy, of Amiens, of Kouen, and Angers, was
born at Paris on the 9th of July, 1712, of a reputable
family. In his early youth his progress in his studies was
rapid. His assiduous application, 'his lively genius, and
mild demeanour, conciliated the esteem of his master, and
gained the friendship of his juvenile companions. His taste
for poetry was apparent at a very earl) period; but the designs of his parents for the advancement of his fortune would
not permit him to resign himself entirely to his favourite
pursuits, and he sacrificed in some degree his propensity to
their wishes. He was placed tinder M. Holland, an advocate, and constantly attended to the regular discharge of
business. His leisure hours were devoted to the Muse;
and J.e gave up that time to poetry, which by many, at his
age, is sacrificed to pleasure. In 1738 his “Ecole du
Temps,
” a comedy in verse, was represented with applause on the Italian theatre. Encouraged by this success,
and with the approbation of M. Rolland, he produced, in
the following year, at the French theatre, his “Esope au
Parnasse,
” a comedy in verse. The reputation of the young
poet, and his character for probity, recommended him to
M. Lailemand of Bety, a farmer-general, who was at that
time forming a system of finance, and who felicitated himself in procuring such an assistant, and in attaching him to
his interest. The occupations incident to this new department were probably the causes which prevented Pesselier
from producing any other pieces for the stage. Poetry
was, however, still the amusement of the time that could
be spared from business. In 1748, he published his fables,
and among his dramatic works appears a comedy, “La
Mascarade du Parnasse,
” in verse, and in one act, which
was never performed.